TikTok has become a platform where trends can quickly skyrocket your visibility and help you make money. Whether you’re an influencer, content creator, or business, leveraging TikTok trends for monetization is smart. To successfully capitalize on these trends, you must stay on top of what’s trending and know how to align those trends with your brand. This guide explores the best TikTok trends for monetization and how you can effectively use them.
1. Hashtag Challenges
Hashtag challenges are a staple on TikTok. Brands or creators introduce a challenge linked to a specific hashtag, and users participate by creating their version of the content. These challenges are viral because they encourage user engagement and participation.
Monetization Tip: You can collaborate with brands to create sponsored hashtag challenges. If your challenge gains traction, brands may pay you to promote their products or services. For example, a fitness brand might sponsor a workout challenge using a specific hashtag, and as a creator, you could earn through this collaboration. Additionally, if your challenge goes viral, it could lead to increased followers and views, making your account more attractive for brand deals.
2. TikTok Sounds and Music Trends
TikTok thrives on viral sounds and music. From catchy tunes to hilarious voiceovers, these audio clips can make or break your content. Users love jumping on sound trends to create videos that fit the current vibe, whether it’s funny, emotional, or entertaining.
Monetization Tip: Utilize popular sounds in your content to increase your chances of going viral. The more views and engagement you generate, the higher your potential to monetize. Brands may notice your viral content and approach you for collaborations or sponsorships. Furthermore, TikTok’s Creator Fund pays creators based on video views, so jumping on sound trends can increase your earnings.
3. Product Reviews and Unboxing
Product reviews and unboxings are popular on TikTok, especially in niches like beauty, tech, and fashion. These videos not only attract a dedicated audience but also establish your authority as a creator who provides genuine insights.
Monetization Tip: You can earn through affiliate marketing, sponsorships, or even by receiving products from companies for free. Many brands partner with creators who have a strong following to showcase their products. Include affiliate links in your bio or descriptions to earn commissions for every sale made through your referral.
4. Educational and ‘How-To’ Content
TikTok may be known for its entertaining and short-form videos, but educational content has also gained traction. From cooking tips to financial advice, many users flock to TikTok to learn new things.
Monetization Tip: Brands often look for educational creators to sponsor, especially if your content aligns with their product. For instance, a tech brand might collaborate with a tech educator on TikTok to feature their gadgets. You can also direct traffic to your courses, paid webinars, or ebooks from TikTok. By creating valuable and informative content, you can build trust with your audience, increasing the likelihood that they will purchase products or services you recommend.
5. Behind-the-Scenes Content
People love seeing the behind-the-scenes process of how things work. Whether it’s the making of a viral video, the journey of starting a small business, or a day in the life of a creator, this type of content resonates with viewers.
Monetization Tip: Behind-the-scenes content humanizes your brand or persona, which helps in building a stronger connection with your audience. This connection can lead to more loyal followers and increased trust, making it easier to promote products, affiliate links, or services. Brands may also pay for behind-the-scenes promotions to showcase their products in an authentic setting.
6. Viral Challenges and Dance Trends
Dance trends and viral challenges are the heart of TikTok. While these trends are often just for fun, they can be an excellent tool for monetization if done strategically.
Monetization Tip: If you’re a skilled dancer or simply good at following trends, you can use these viral moments to boost your exposure. The more visible you become, the more opportunities you’ll have for sponsorships, brand deals, and even merchandise sales. Brands frequently collaborate with creators to promote products in a subtle way through dance or challenge videos.
7. Influencer Collaborations
Collaborating with other influencers can expose you to a broader audience. These partnerships often happen organically when two creators team up, but they can also be brand-sponsored.
Monetization Tip: Reach out to creators in your niche and propose collaboration ideas. Joint content creation allows both parties to tap into each other’s follower base, increasing visibility and engagement. When brands see that you can collaborate effectively with other creators, they may approach you for larger sponsorship deals. For example, if you’re both promoting the same product, a joint collaboration can double the reach and make the promotion more effective.
8. TikTok Live Streams
TikTok Live is a powerful tool for monetization. Live streams allow creators to interact directly with their audience, and viewers can send virtual gifts, which can be exchanged for real money.
Monetization Tip: Engage with your audience through regular live streams to build rapport and encourage them to send gifts. You can also partner with brands for live-streamed product launches or Q&A sessions. Many brands are willing to pay creators to host live streams that feature their products, helping you earn both through direct gifts and brand deals.
9. User-Generated Content (UGC)
Brands increasingly turn to user-generated content on TikTok to promote their products authentically. UGC is any content created by real users, as opposed to professionally produced ads. Brands love this because it feels more genuine to the audience.
Monetization Tip: You can pitch UGC ideas to brands or participate in brand campaigns asking for UGC. This can turn into a long-term relationship with brands, where they regularly pay you to create content using their products. The more relatable and authentic your content is, the more likely you are to land these types of partnerships.
10. Trending Filters and Effects
TikTok regularly introduces new filters and effects that users can apply to their videos. These features often go viral, with creators using them to make fun, creative, or visually appealing content.
Monetization Tip: Use these trending filters and effects in your content to stay relevant and visible. When you follow a trend, your chances of being featured on the “For You” page increase, leading to more views, followers, and potential brand partnerships. If brands notice that you’re able to ride the wave of a trending effect effectively, they may pay you to feature their product within these viral moments.
Conclusion
TikTok trends offer creators a wide range of opportunities to monetize their content. By staying on top of popular trends, you can boost your visibility, grow your audience, and attract lucrative brand deals and sponsorships. Whether you’re jumping on a viral dance challenge, using popular sounds, or creating educational content, there’s always a way to turn TikTok trends into revenue. The key is to align these trends with your personal brand and audience interests to maximize monetization potential.